UNEARTHING THE PAST SINCE 1900
UNEARTHING THE PAST SINCE 1900
On May 23, over 100 11th graders from McKinley Tech High School (Washington, D.C.) transformed the Mt. Zion 鈥� Female Union Band Society Cemeteries into a living classroom鈥攖hanks to a teacher-led effort four months in the making. This program, initiated by Alysha Butler and Gabriel Morden-Snipper, featured ten interactive learning stations.
The day began with a moving libation ceremony and a powerful reminder of the land鈥檚 history, anchored by Dumbarton House鈥檚 1841 painting featuring Julia Duckett鈥檚 wedding鈥攐nce enslaved, now remembered and buried in the cemeteries. Vernon Ricks, a 1957 McKinley alum and Black Georgetown Foundation board member, shared personal memories of segregation and resilience. He was a member of the first integrated graduating class.
At lunch, Vernon Ricks鈥擬cKinley Tech Class of 1957, its first integrated class鈥攕hared his powerful memories of growing up in segregated Washington.
Special thanks to Meg and Paul from Tour de Force, who not only funded the experience but spent the entire day with us in the field. And to the dedicated volunteers and partners who helped bring the learning to life:
This wasn鈥檛 just a day of service鈥攊t was a model for place-based education, community preservation, and student-powered historical inquiry. DC students led with purpose, and history answered back.
it鈥檚 a model of what鈥檚 possible when teachers lead the way.